Christmas in July golfers to swing into action for fundraiser

AUGRES — Christmas is in December, but for some local area golfers the holiday may have moved up the calendar a few months as the AuGres Area Chamber of Commerce presents its Second Annual Christmas in July Golf Outing on July 10.

The outing, which will take place at Knoll View in AuGres, will allow golfers to raise money for Christmas presents for local underprivileged children.

“It’s all about the kids, that’s what we say,” said AuGres Area Chamber of Commerce Secretary Sheree Wiltse. “(It is) to support the kids of Arenac County that otherwise might not have a Christmas.”

Last year the outing raised more than $4,000 according to J.R. Stolt of the AACC, and this year they hope to raise at least that amount again.

“Last year we raised over $4,000 (and) we had 19 teams. This year we’re hoping for 25,” he said. “Last year (golfers) seemed to have fun with it. People had Santa hats on (and) the carts had Christmas decorations on them.”

The outing, which is limited to 36 teams, had a charge of $65 dollars for teams signing up before July 1, and costs $75 dollars for teams that are registering from now until the event.

Though the registration is $75 dollars now, Stolt said that they would work with teams if that were too high.

“We can work it out. We’re not going to turn any teams away,” he said. “We just want them to sign up. If we did have 36 teams, then the course would have to borrow carts.”

The registration fees not only include the chance to swing for that hole-in-one, it also includes a steak fry dinner after the event, along with the chance to win many different door prizes, including a BBQ grill donated by the Kiwanis Club, and $25 dollar gift certificates.

“We had so many door prizes that it took us over an hour,” said Wiltse about giving out the sponsored prizes last year. “(For the) par-3 holes we give out prizes.”

Stolt also said local business will have the chance to contribute as organizers are looking for door prizes and hole sponsors.

Anyone sponsoring a hole pays $50, and a sign is posted by their sponsored hole.

“We are looking for sponsors,” he said. “Whatever we make, above and beyond what we have to pay, goes towards Christmas.”

Though this is only the second year for the outing, Stolt said that the event all started as a random idea as members from the AACC were wrapping presents for kids a few years ago.

“One of the members said, ‘Hey, why don’t we have a golf outing?’” Stolt said. “Basically, that’s how it started. We thought that there was the need to raise more money. It’s really a community thing.”

Standish Kiwanis member Curt Hillman, said they have been buying toys for quite a lot of area children.

“We’ve been pushing 700 real hard. It takes anywhere from $6,000 plus,” he said about how much they spend on buying toys. “We take care of Arenac kids.”

Anyone that would like to gain more information about the event can contact J.R. Stolt at (989)820-5003 or email him at jrstolt@hotmail.com.